Good morning to you Fort Myers! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Goodwill Columbus Day Sale and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Mike Greenwell Park in Fort Myers gets $50M for storm recovery upgrades (winknews.com) — Lee County has approved up to $50 million in disaster-recovery grants to overhaul Mike Greenwell Regional Park in Fort Myers, focusing on storm resilience and emergency-response uses after Hurricane Ian. Commissioners will hold a workshop soon to decide specific upgrades, and an additional $600,000 state grant will further support improvements and community programming at the park.
2. District report outlines what led to North AD Joe Bowen's suspension (news-press.com) — North Fort Myers families are learning more about why athletic director Joe Bowen was suspended and recommended for termination, after a district report tied him to oversight failures in a pay-to-play baseball scheme. The investigation details alleged preferential treatment for Fort Myers Baseball Academy players, unsafe living conditions for some athletes, and missed opportunities by school leaders to report concerns to higher authorities.
3. County commissioners approve $15M project to reconstruct Main Street on San Carlos Island (fortmyersbeachtalk.com) — Lee County commissioners have approved $15 million in federal disaster funds to rebuild Main Street on San Carlos Island, including buying Olsen Marina and adding flood-resilient road and drainage upgrades that affect access to Fort Myers Beach. They also set aside more than $900,000 for Fort Myers Beach shoreline maintenance and a new beach access, while FEMA is sending $3.8 million for repairs at Bowditch Point Beach Park.
4. A Single Dad Stopped Showing Up for Breakfast. The Restaurant Owner Went Looking for Him (today.com) — A Fort Myers restaurant called FK Your Diet quietly became a lifeline for a single dad who lost his job and was facing eviction with two teenage daughters. Owner Doug Miller not only hired him but helped secure temporary housing, eventually offering full-time work. Their story highlights how this local eatery supports struggling families and foster youth across Southwest Florida.
5. 5 Winners Selected for the 2026 Therapeutic Garden Grant Program (greenhousegrower.com) — A Fort Myers nonprofit, Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida, has won a $1,500 national therapeutic garden grant to expand its Urban Garden of HOPE. The program uses gardening to support recovery, wellness, and job readiness for adults with mental health challenges. This new funding will help strengthen a hands-on, healing space right here in the community.
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Ok Fort Myers! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
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